The Devils' Own Cricket Club was also referred to as the Law Cricket Club and the Law (Devils' Own) Cricket Club. The club was formed in 1875 from members of the local legal fraternity and business people in Sandhurst (Bendigo). In addition to the Devils' Own Cricket Club, there were many male cricket clubs formed in Bendigo in the 1870's, for example, the Bendigo United Cricket Club; Epsom Cricket Club; All Trades Cricket Club; New Chum Cricket Club; California Gully Cricket Club; Long Gully Cricket Club; Butchers' Cricket Club; View Point Cricket Club; Myers Street Cricket Club; Australian Natives Association Cricket Club; View Point Cricket Club; Beehive Cricket Club; Advertiser Cricket Club; Kangaroo Flat Cricket Club; Golden Square Cricket Club; North Bendigo Cricket Club; Crusoe Cricket Club; City Cricket Club; Bohemians Cricket Club and the Happy Valley Cricket Club. Where did the name 'Devils' Own' come from? The Inns of Court Regiment, London, has a unique place in history as a result of its ancient and intimate connection with the Law and lawyers. It recruited and 'officered' almost exclusively from the legal profession, drawn from barristers, attorneys, notaries and their clerks and students practising in the area of the Inns of Court comprising Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn and Gray’s Inn. During Napoleonic Wars all Inns raised companies. During a review by King George III in Hyde Park in 1803, the King used his dislike for lawyers – particularly ones carrying arms – to name the massed ranks of the Law Association as "The Devil's Own".[5] "It is understood that the King was in high health and excellent spirits at the time. The Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Volunteers was reformed in 1797 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was shortly afterwards that the regiment gained its enduring nickname. During a review by King George III in Hyde Park in 1803, the King used his dislike for lawyers – particularly ones carrying arms – to name the massed ranks of the Law Association as "The Devil's Own". "It is understood that the King was in high health and excellent spirits at the time. When the 'Temple companies' had defiled before him, his Majesty enquired of Lord David Erskine, who commanded them, as lieutenant colonel, what was the composition of that corps? 'They are all lawyers, Sire,' said Erskine. 'What! What! 'exclaimed the King, 'all lawyers? all lawyers? Call them the Devil's Own, call them the Devil's Own!" "And the Devil's Own they were called accordingly." ( Norton, F.C., A short history of the military & naval services of the Inns of Court and the members of the Bench and the Bar, 1886, William Clowes & Sons, Stamford Street and Charing Cross, London) Did Bendigo’s legal fraternity name themselves DOCC with the intent that they would reflect the distinguished pedigree and qualities of the Devil’s Own regiment? Details of one the players in the 'Devils'Own' CC : Pelling Hugh Gough Pigott Stainsby Conant, solicitor, born Hampshire, England 1846. Arrived Australia 1871. Pelling was the son of Francis Pigott Stainsby Conant Esq., Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man. He married Catherine Anne Drummond. In 1874, his practice was in the Albion Chambers, Sandhurst, given as 'Pelling H.G.P.S. Conant, Solicitor'. Organisation-Club/society-sportA transcript of the Devils Own Cricket Club article in the 19th February, 1875 edition of the Bendigo Advertiser docc, devils own cricket club, sandhurst, bendigo advertiser, pelling h.g.p. s. conant, solicitor, barrister

Organisation-Club/society-sportA large but thin book consisting of blue lined paper and a cream coloured cover. Includes the handwritten list of Cricket club members and, later in the book, a list of cash transactions made by the club. "Devils Own Cricket Club Later Law Cricket Club 1875-78" written in blue ink on the cover. docc, devils own cricket club, sandhurst, bendigo advertiser

Organisation-Club/society-sport3767.4a: A receipt of purchase from Henry Jackson, General ironmonger and Iron merchant, by Mr F.D. Jones (labelled as secretary on the receipt/treasure in other documents) on behalf of the Devils Own Cricket club. The receipt is a professionally made, printed template printed on blue/purple coloured limed paper with red margins. The transactions made by Mr Jones are handwritten in cursive font with black ink. The receipt indicates that payment was made to Mr Jackson on the 10th and 25th of March 1875. the pound was used as currency. 3767.4b: This receipt is dated March 25th 1875. Detailing the repair of a cricket ball. W.B. Fox, a saddler and harness marker, executed the repairs. The receipt is a professionally made, printed template in black ink on a light blue sheet of lined paper with red margins. The purchase order and payment remarks are handwritten in cursive with black ink. Pounds were used a currency. 3767.4c: This receipt is entirely handwritten in cursive with black ink on a torn rectangular piece of blue coloured paper. There is no official printing or branding on the receipt. The receipt details the purchase of a cricket ball by the Treasurer of the DOCC in March 1875 from F. Macoboy. The page has a large red stain/smudge in the top right-hand corner. 3767.4d: This professionally printed receipt is printed in black ink on a rectangular piece of white/cream coloured paper. The official branding is that of W. Welch, a general printer, binder etc. from Sandhurst. The record of the purchase of a 150-page record book for the DOCC by Mr. Jones is handwritten in cursive with black ink. The receipt is dated 8th March 1875 and payment was made on 9th March 1875. 3767.4e: This reciept is a handwritten note in black ink on a blue piece of lined paper no larger than a business card. The note, dated 1st March 1875, is addressed to Mr. F Jones, Hon Treasurer Devils Own C.C. The note is written by R.W. Franklyn in reference to 3767.4c and reads as follows: "Please pay M'acoboy 5/- price of ball" 3767.4f: This receipt in professionally printed in black ink on a blue coloured, lined paper. The branding refers to Henry Jackson, as per 3767.4a, and details the purchase of cricket equipment by the Law C.C. The receipt is dated February 19, 1875.docc, devils own cricket club, sandhurst, w. welch, w.b. fox, henry jackson, f. m'acoboy, law cricket club, financials, f.d. jones

Organisation-Club/society-sportA long rectangular receipt book consisting of 150 receipt pages of which 49 have been used. Cover is a green colour with a blue coloured spine. The initials DOCC written on the front. inside the front and back covers is a stamp for W. Welch, Stationer, binder and printer.Dates, amounts received and from whom are written in black ink. images shows identification number as 3767.2 but it was changed later to 3767.3docc, devils own cricket club, sandhurst, w. welch

Organisation-Club/society-sportA long rectangular receipt book consisting of 150 receipt pages of which 49 have been used. Green cover with blue spine. The initials DOCC written on the front. inside the front and back covers is a stamp for W. Welch, Stationer, binder and printer.Dates, amounts received and from whom are written in black ink. docc, devils own cricket club, sandhurst, w. welch